2009-09-10

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THE BG NEWS Thursday September 10, 2009 Volume 104, Issue 14

CAMPUS

WWW.BGVIEWS.COM

Yesterday students outside the Union protested the ban on gay males donating blood. The Union hosted a blood drive, while a group of students passed out flyers detailing the Food and Drug Administration’s ban on sexually-active gay men donating blood.

Women’s Center held a “Brown Bag Lunch” presentation on managing personal stress | Page 3

FORUM

An open letter on health care

According to the protesters’ handout, the FDA placed the ban on blood donation in 1983 in an effort to prevent the potential spread of HIV. The flyer also notes that the group with the most AIDS-related deaths is African-American heterosexual women aged 25 to 34 years old. Also as part of their protocol, the American Red Cross tests each donation

of blood for HIV. “There is no point for the ban,” said sophomore Tucker Barton, who was handing out flyers. “It makes me feel angry that this ban is in place. People should not have to lie to donate blood.” Protesting sophomore Jessica Gallagher agrees, calling the ban “absolutely ridiculous.” The ban is considered “medically and scientifi-

A ‘Big Gay Picnic’

Senior Michael Slone writes an open letter to Ohio 5th District Rep. Bob Latta in favor of health care | Page 4

Students welcome to third annual LGBT community kickoff outing

Embracing other cultures

NATION

Outbreak may hurt companies Businesses across the nation are unprepared for the potential swine flu outbreak according to Harvard School of Public Health | Page 5

SPORTS

Senior receiver out

PEOPLE ON THE STREET

cally unwarranted” by the American Red Cross. The current lifetime ban is no longer relevant, said Western Lake Erie Blood Services Region Communication Manager Annie Marckel. Even though the Red Cross needs to abide by the FDA’s rules, they offer suggestions to people affected by the ban. The gay community can do

Senior reciever Tyrone Pronty is out for the next four to six weeks with a broken foot. Senior Ray Hutson is scheduled as the next starter, but others could be considered | Page 6

ANDY HERNANDEZ | THE BG NEWS

By Shena Stayden Reporter

Come one, come all; come gay, come straight — the third annual Big Gay Picnic is open to everyone interested in supporting the LGBT community on campus. Sponsored by the staff of the University’s LGBT Resource Center, the Big Gay Picnic is scheduled to take place today from 4 - 6 p.m. in the Union Ballroom. The Ballroom is promised to be covered top to bottom with big, bright decorations and loaded with fun games and useful information, according to event planner and coordinator Annie Russell, who is the doctoral graduate assistant for LGBT Programs and Resources. She said there will be more free food, music and resources than ever before. In

What class should the University have that it doesn’t?

addition, there will be door prizes and even a surprise mystery host. The picnic will serve as a kick-off event for every LGBT student, as well as every LGBT student-run organization on campus. Such organizations include Vision, H.U.E., Transcendence, Queer Grads, and F.O.C.U.S., which are all expected to be present the night of the picnic. Vision President Rob Koob said he is grateful for this opportunity, not only for his organization, but for every LGBT group. “Since we have five organizations that have five very different roles within the LGBT community, it’s great to be able to come together and to be able to show people what these groups can offer,” he said.

Picnic information

WASHINGTON — Shaking off a summer of setbacks, President Barack Obama summoned Congress to enact sweeping health care legislation yesterday night, declaring the “time for bickering is over” and the moment has arrived to protect millions who have unreliable insurance or no coverage at all. Obama said the changes he has in mind would cost about $900 billion over decade, “less than we have spent on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and less than the tax cuts for the wealthiest few Americans” passed during the Bush administration. In a televised speech to a joint session of Congress, Obama spoke in favor of an option for the federal government to sell insurance in competition with private industry. But he said he was open to alternatives that create choices for consumers — a declaration sure to displease its liberal supporters. Obama’s speech came as the president and his allies in Congress readied an autumn campaign to enact his top domestic priority. While Democrats command strong majorities in both the House and Senate, neither chamber has acted on Obama’s top domestic priority, missing numerous deadlines leaders had set for themselves. In a fresh sign of urgency, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.,

STEPHEN LAMBERT Sophomore, MIS and Supply Chain Management

“Taxidermy. There are far too many squirrels and rabbits on campus.” | Page 4

TODAY Sunny High: 77, Low: 51

See OBAMA | Page 2

- When: Today - Time: 4 - 6 p.m. - Location: Union Ballroom - Perks: prizes, food, music and more - Open to everyone

HEALTH TALK: President Barack Obama addresses a crowd this past summer at a health care rally at Shaker Heights High School in Cleveland.

See PICNIC | Page 2

the University identified goals that needed to be addressed. One of those goals included greater enrollment in internaNext semester, students will tional studies and world lanhave the opportunity to study a guages. Therefore, the College of Arts and Sciences decided, as different language. The College of Arts and part of that goal, they would Sciences has decided for the reintroduce Arabic as one of spring semester that Arabic 101 the languages taught at the will most likely be offered with University. She said the last time an the possibility of adding more advanced classes later. Julie Arabic language course was Barnes, associate dean of the offered was in Fall 1993. “Since then, the Arabic lanCollege, believes bringing an Arabic language course back guage and culture have been to the University is not only in the news and more people important, but is also interest- are interested in learning about them,” Barnes said. ing to students. Simon Morgan-Russell, dean Barnes said each college at

announced that his Senate Finance Committee would meet in two weeks to begin drafting legislation, whether or not a handful of Democrats and Republicans have come to an agreement. The panel is the last of five to act in Congress, and while the outcome is uncertain, it is the only one where bipartisanship has been given a chance to flourish. Obama said there is widespread agreement on about 80 percent of what must be included in legislation. Any yet, criticizing Republicans without saying so, he added: “Instead of honest debate, we have seen scare tactics” and ideological warfare that offers no hope for compromise. “Well, the time for bickering is over,” he said. “The time for games has passed. Now is the season for action.” “I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last,” he added. The president was alternately bipartisan and tough on his Republican critics. He singled out Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., for praise at one point. Yet, moments later he accused Republicans of spreading the “cynical and irresponsible” charge that the legislation would include “death panels” with the power to hasten the death of senior citizens. In one gesture to Republicans, Obama said his administra-

- The Big Gay Picnic

Arabic language course to be offered at the University By Andrew Farr Reporter

other things besides donating blood to help the cause, Marckel said. “Become a volunteer and get the word out by recruiting people,” she said. Freshman Mustafa Salem, while volunteering at the blood drive, said the generalization of the FDA is wrong. “They should build bridges, not walls,” Salem said.

Obama to Congress: “Season for action” By David Espo The Associated Press

Columnist Hama Bbela encourages students to embrace cultures different than their own, even if it’s as small as renting a foreign movie | Page 4

WEATHER

A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community

Blood drive sparks donation debate By Phil Torres Reporter

Staying in the driver’s seat

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ESTABLISHED 1920

of the College, said Arabic is a language that has become very important in today’s culture and has been identified as a critical language of study by the state department. MorganRussell said the college decided to bring the course back about two weeks before classes started this fall. However, only seven students were signed up by the time school started, so the course had to be dropped. “Offering the Arabic class is something I have felt strongly about for quite some time,” Morgan-Russell said. “If students are interested, I encourage them to sign up for the course if it is offered in the spring,” he

said. Nathan Richardson, chair and associate professor of the Romance and Classical Studies Department, has also played a key part in bringing the Arabic class back to the University. Richardson said there has been a real commitment by the college to bring the class back. “The Arab-speaking world should be a fundamental part of the curriculum of world languages,” Richardson said. Morgan-Russell also said he believes that if seven students signed up for the class in only two weeks, the class will definitely attract even more interest over the next semester.

ALAINA BUZAS | THE BG NEWS

Vegetarians adjust to dining By Lin Chafetz Reporter

Some students think variety has been slow to arrive on University dining menus — especially for vegetarians. However, in the first few weeks, sophomore vegetarian Whitney Markus has seen the variety lacking. “Some days there are more choices for vegetarians than others,” Markus said, “but it will vary from having three or four choices for vegetarians to only

VISIT BGVIEWS.COM: NEWS, SPORTS, UPDATES, MULTIMEDIA AND FORUMS FOR YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

See DINING | Page 2


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2009-09-10 by BG Falcon Media - Issuu